RB-35 Bookshelf Speaker I am New to Klipsch

[donschorr]

Hi,

I recently had the opportunity to purchase 'new' old stock RB-35's. They arrived in their unopened boxes, I have taken them out to inspect and check out the paperwork etc. All seems to be brand new and untouched.

I will be hooking these up to an older Kenwood KA-109 amp which the wattage spec exceeds slightly the max wattage rating on the 35's.

My question is- can the RB-35's be set directly on the floor- or do I need to use stands? If stands are recommended what height stand? Where I will be using these speakers I don't have bookshelfs.

ROOM dimensions and description-

16'X16' with 11' 3" tall sidewalls, Sidewalls are 2"X6" true sized lumber, all of the extensive room moldings are large and heavy duty. Walls are true lathe plaster including the ceiling. The subfloor and ceiling cavaties have the maximum amount of insullation able to install, the sidewalls have minimum insullation as I haven't seen the advantage for the expense/benefit ratio on doing the max in the sidewalls. The home was built in 1900 and it is a wood framed house with original wood floors. Throw rug is in the center of the room. I have to set the system up in one corner of the room facing out at an angle towards 2 awesome chairs directly positioned in the opposite corner for listening pleasure- about 12 feet away. I won't be able to set up my 'new system' until the last week in May due to work requirements. but I am getting excited.

I used to be into stereo equipment a long time ago, but gave it up for about 15 yrs, so I guess I am in a mid life situation (50) and want to revisit my collection of vinyl albums and CD's.

Thanks for any and all advice,

Don

[Bill H.]

Welcome to the Fourm.

You really should buy some stands to get the Best out of these.

Wonderful speakers that with easily handle your needs. (You be lucky to turn it even a quarter of the dial.).

About 30" stands. If you have wood skills, just make your own................

[Matthews]

Welcome Don,

Congratulations on your new voyage. I started off with a pair of RB-61's and was amazed at the sound these little guys put out. You are gonna need stands. Also a quality sub is going to be a must. Be careful sticking your toes in the water around here. Before you know it you will be dripping wet with a huge smile on your face.

Keep on Rockin',

Matt

[willland]

Don,

Welcome to the forum.

I would suggest you get stands that are at least 24 inches high. This would put the horns at about 40 inches which would be a perfect level while sitting in your favorite listening chair. The RB-35's are very nice bookshelves that work well with 2 channel or home theater. You definitely came to the right place. Enjoy your rediscovered hobby.

Bill

[donschorr]

Thanks guys for the welcome. I thought you would say I need stands- I will either have my wife make a set or purchase them height to be 24-30 inches. I will have to go with cherry wood as that is our furniture color and also the speakers.

I have an old non powered sub, 10 inch that gets down to 30 HZ, I will try running that with the speakers after I break in the RB-35's. I will be using this 'new' system as 2 channel running the RB's and maybe a sub.

Any suggestions or comments feel free to pass along, and thanks again for the kind words.

PS I have looked at every post on the 2 channel blog and read all of the posts that interested me. There is an awesome history with the Klipsch brand and I would like to upsize the speakers when I have the right house again for a large system, I owned the perfect house 7 years ago- den was 14X40' and housed a lot of fun stuff including my old stereo system that I parted with most of-actually my son stole most of it and he is still using most of it. LOL.

Don

[Dennie]

Hey Don, Welcome and we're glad your here. Congratulations on the new speakers, you're going to love them. Until you get stands, you can shove something under the front of the speakers to tilt them up a little. Those little rubber door stop thingies come to mind, but just about anything will work.

I used to be into stereo equipment a long time ago, but gave it up for about 15 yrs, so I guess I am in a mid life situation (50) and want to revisit my collection of vinyl albums and CD's.

I like the term "Situation" much better than crisis! Good choice. This is a great hobby for us "old guys", as it requires us to sit on our butts, relax and enjoy the music! []

I think you're going to enjoy revisiting your collection of CD's and Vinyl. People are always amazed at how good vinyl sounds and I can't wait to hear your reaction to your "New" stereo system and your music collection.

Keep us posted and remember, we don't believe in "stupid questions", just stupid people who don't ask questions! So, speak up if you have any questions, their is a great knowledge base here and we're just itch'en to help.

Dennie

[oldmako]

Nice speakers. Nice score!

[donschorr]

Well I am rocking right now- The Klipsch RB-35 can handle all that my Kenwood KA-109 can throw at them- I am impressed, especially with the mids and highs. The lows are better than I thought however they don't have the punch I need from my system. I have my RB-35's on the floor angled up by a book about 1" thick the RB's fill my first floor with complete sound (1800 sq ft) so sound level is not a problem at all. My wife is building speaker stands 26" high but don't have them available yet, the books actually do a good job of getting the angle of sound up off the ground.

The question I have is my subwoofer is not a powered subwoofer, I wired the sub to the B position of the speakers from the amp- and when I play the A speakers (Klipsch) they sound great.

When I play the B speakers (the sub) it sound muddled and bassy like I would expect.

However- when I play both A and B- it sounds terrible- why?

The subwoofer I have is a 10" sub that is designed to have it's small satellites playing- it is non powered. I do not have the satellites hooked up to it at this time.

A speaker position is only the Klipsch which when I play only A they sound great- lots of volume and vitality.

B speaker position is only the subwoofer- without the sattelite speakers hooked up to it.

Any help appeciated.

Thanks

Don

[Dennie]

Hey Don, it is so cool that you are Rockin' Out right now. I bet it sounds great! []

What is the make and model number of the sub?

If it is from a "Home Theater In A Box" system, you're probably going to want to replace it with something more musical.

Most subs will do home theater well, but when it comes to music, it takes a better sub to blend in and fill the bottom end. I use an SVS subwoofer and I love it. Here's the LINK---------> CLICK HERE

Dennie

[donschorr]

Dennie,

That still would not explain the distinct difference in the sound quality. I respect what you are saying but the difference is night and day, not musically challenged. LOL.

Don

[Dennie]

Make and Model Number?

Dennie

[donschorr]

Dennie- here are the specs

Optimus-500 Speaker (400-4055) Specifications
System

Frequency Response:............................................60-18,000 Hz
Power Handling Capacity:..........................................100 Watts
Impedance:...........................................................4 ohms
Speaker Complement:
Loudspeakers:.......................3 1/4" (8.2 cm) Anti-magnetic woofer
1/2" (1.1 cm) Anti-magnetic polyethrimide dome tweeter
Subwoofer:..........................10" (24.4 cm) Dual Voice Coil Driver
Dimensions:
Loudspeakers:.......7 1/2" x 5 15/16" x 5 15/16" (19 x 15 x 13 cm) (HWD)
Subwoofer:...11 3/8" x 17 23/32" x 14 31/32" (28.9 x 44.8 x 38 cm) (HWD)
Shipping Weight:.....................................................31 lbs

Electrical

Type:...............................................Bass reflex (subwoofer)
Input Power:...................................Nominal 80W Max (music) 160W
Impedance:....................................8 Ohms +/- 15% (at 100 Hz 1V)
SP Level:......................................89 dB +/- 2 dB (at 1W 1m Hz)
Resonance (Fo):............................................30 Hz +/- 6 Hz V
Frequency Response (Fo):........................Hz-220Hz Deviation 20dB Max

Cabinet Thickness

Cabinet Body:.................................P.B 15mm BLACK Color # CB-123
Baffle Board:.................................P.B 15mm BLACK Color # CB-123
Back Board:........................................................P.B 15mm
Front Frame:..................................................30 mm PLASTIC

Dennie,

Here is the specs for my subwoofer satellite system, bear in mind I am only running the sub woofer right now. Let me know what you think.

Thank you

Don

[Dennie]

Hey Don,

I think the Kenwood is having problems driving two speakers and the 4 ohm load of the sub module. We can't really call it a sub woofer as it does not produce sub sonic frequencies. That unit was made to work with the satellite speakers that it came with and since it is not a powered unit, it is draining the kenwood, making things sound bad. I think you'd be better off just running the speakers with out the sub.

Dennie

[donschorr]

Awesome Denny, that is what I thought after looking at the specs- I bet if I hooked up the satellite speakers for the sub then it becomes 8 ohm and all would sound better, but not what I want.

I don't have $500 or more for a sub right now, knowing what I am trying to do any suggestions for a sub- the 35's are truely nice speakers by themselves except for the bass punch.

Thank you.

Don

[donschorr]

Out of curiosity I am gong to hook up the satellites from my sub to see how they sound together. I am intersested to see how they perform using A and B buttons. and both at the same time.

The RB-35's by themselves are a beast very, very impressive- just no bottom to them- but LORD can they fill a house full of sound!

Awesome.

Don

[donschorr]

I hooked up the satellites to the sub- and everything works just great. The sub produces lower frequency sounds and makes everything tighter. When I get some extra cash, I will invest in a 'true' subwoofer. I am just glad that for now using A and B position for the speakers all sounds nice together.

Thanks for all of your help.

Don

[Dennie]

Hey Don, that is great to hear!

If you're happy, I'm happy! [Y]

Keep an eye out for a better sub, it really will make a difference. I see decent sub's on my local Craigslist, every now and then. Usually for under $500. Try to go with a 12" or bigger, as I've never heard a 8" or 10" sub reproduce as accurate bass, as a 12" or bigger.

So, it is just in my nature to ask....what are you listening to "right this minute"?

Dennie

[donschorr]

Listening to:

Joe Walsh- But Seriously Folks, I like every song except the big hit "Life's been good".

Thanks Dennie for your help.

Don

[Dennie]

Listening to:

Joe Walsh- But Seriously Folks, I like every song except the big hit "Life's been good".

Thanks Dennie for your help.

Don

Great Album Don!

You're welcome and keep us posted with any changes or questions.

Dennie

[keegsav]

Actually the 35's sound best when run full range on stands. Without a Xover and volume adjustment on the sub there's no way to roll off the upper bass frequencies.